Tonight’s the night—the CFDA Fashion Awards. But while everyone waits to see what the biggest stars will be wearing, we’re taking a look back at the evening’s most winning beauty looks throughout the years. After all, it’s the finishing touches that will take a dress (or hey, a jumpsuit!) from beautiful to truly unforgettable.
As in past years—we’re looking at you, Rihanna—glowing skin is always in. And as early as 2016, Claire Danes paired her Calvin Klein LBD with little more than a radiant complexion and a knowing smile. Meanwhile, the arbiters of come-as-you-are beauty, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen of The Row, habitually make the case for loose, finger-raked waves, natural makeup, and a lit-from-within glow year after year, like in 2017.
Others have taken to higher notes of drama—see Janelle Monàe in 2017, the year she paired round John Lennon–style sunglasses with an electric signature crimson lip. While in 2018, Kaia Gerber paired her Alexander Wang men’s button down and cheeky striped boxer shorts with a flash of toned abs.
That’s not to say there haven’t been a few surprise above-the-neck makeovers. Simply look to Bella Hadid, who in 2018, debuted a blunt bob and freshly sheared bangs. The power move was just the thing to complete her hot pink Off-White blazer—and cemented the model as a red carpet beauty chameleon.
Above, see these and more of our favorite hair and makeup moments at the CFDA Fashion Awards in recent years.